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Residents press committee over delay in deer‑management follow‑up; city to prepare feasibility briefing
Summary
Residents told the committee the subcommittee assigned to study deer management and bow‑hunter participation has not reported back within the directed timeline; the committee directed staff to compile a factual feasibility report for the April council meeting.
Two residents used the public‑comment period on March 11 to press the Administration & Public Works Committee about the deer management subcommittee.
Ward 1 resident Trent Bodine told the committee he was "curious as to what the subcommittee has done" since a December council direction to report back; he said the issue had "now been 3 months" without visible progress and called the lack of follow‑up concerning. Tom Mitchell, calling in by Zoom, echoed the point and said the council had previously directed a report by April 7 and he had seen no action.
Why it matters: deer collisions, vegetation impacts and neighborhood safety were raised in prior meetings; residents asked whether the city will explore alternatives such as allowing baiting or changing minimum acreage for hunting and whether enforcement and carcass‑collection processes are working.
What the committee said it would do: staff clarified the existing culling program is currently paused for lack of a vendor but that a concept approved earlier remains on file; the committee asked staff and the city attorney to prepare a factual packet for committee review before the April council meeting addressing: what the current program permits, what the state allows on baiting and minimum acreage/setback requirements, examples from other municipalities, and whether the city could incorporate local bow hunters into a formal program.
Next steps: staff will return with a feasibility briefing; the committee did not adopt new policy at the meeting.
